Beeeoh loading fire arm



(No Model.) 3 heetssheen 1.

W. E. BUDD. BREEGH LOADING FIRE ARM.

Patented Jan. l5, 1884.

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s sheetssheen 2.

(No Model.)

W. E. BUDD. BREEGH LOADING PIRE ARM.

No; 291,980.- Patented Jan. 15, 1884.

(Ne Medel.) s sheetssheet 3. IWI.' 'En BREBCH LOADING FIRE ARM.

Ne. 291.980. Petented Jen. 15, 1884.

UNTTTTT .(iTaTns PATTNT @Trice VILLIAM E. BUDD, OF CHATHAM, TEV JERSEY.

BREECl-l-LGADiNtl-i FIRE=ARNL SFLECIFICTIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,980, dated January 15, 1884.

(No model) To (1,7/ uff/,ont it 7mo/j concern:

Be it known that I, WiLLriiir E. Benn, of Chatham, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Fire- Arms; and ldo hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in breech-loading iire-arms; and it consists,iirst, in the combination of the pivoted operatinglever, which extends backward over the grip of the stock, a spring-snap for locking the lever in place, and an arm, which is pivoted both tothe lever and to the barrels, for the purpose of in oving the barrels lengthwise upon the stock; second, in the combination of the endwise-sliding barrels, which are provided with a series of projections upon the top i' f their rear ends, with aperforated arm, which closes down upon the projections, and an operating-lever, by means of which the barrels are moved back and forth, third, the combination of the operating-lever, the connectingr rod or arm, which is placed between'this 1ever and the endwise-sliding barrels, the connecting arm or rod being grooved upon its top, so as to guide the eye in taking sight; fourth, the combination of the operating-lever, the arm connected thereto, and the vertically-moving springactuated cartridge extrae-tors, which are operated by the movement of the connecting rod or arm as it is raised and lowered in respect to the barrels andthe main frame; fifth, the combination ofthe operating-lever, a rod or arm connected thereto and to the endwise-sliding barrels, the main frame, eorking-plates provided with lugs, and the hainmers; sixth. in vertically moving spring -actuated cartridge-extractor-s, which are adapted to be moved by the hand, and which act as cartridge-extractors, indicators, and safety attachi'nents to prevent premature explosions; seventh, the combination of the hammers, the sliding blocks or tuinblers, the vertically-moving sliiring-aetuater'l cartridgeextractors, and the triggers; eight-h, the combination ot' a single trigger-plate, the two triggers arranged together, anda single spri ng for operating both triggers and the sears connected to them; ninth, a mainspring which is bent at right angles, and which has its two ends to diverge, so as to operate in two directions at once for the purpose of operating the hammer, holding itself in position, and to give additional force.

Figure l is a side elevation of a gun embodying my invention complete, showing the gun closed. Figi is a similar view, showing the gun open and the thumb-piece used in connection with the hammer and the sliding' side plates removed so as to show the lock. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken to one side of the center, so as to show the operating parts and the manner of attaching the connecting rod or arm to thcbarrels. Fig. i is a plan view. Figs. 5, (i, 7, 8, E), l0, 11, 12, 13, 14;, and 15 are detail views.

A represents the stock, B the main frame, and C the barrels. Upon the top of the forearm ofthe stock rests the extension D of the main .frame B, which is provided with a dovetail groove. The barrels C have a correspondi ng dovetail plate or piece attached to the under side, so as to catch in this groove, and thus hold the barrels in position upon the forearm while moving endwise back and forth. In the top of the barrels,at a suitable distance "from their rear ends, is made a suitable depression, which is cut under atii's rear end, and in which the pivoted fastening-piece E, which is connected to the connecting rod or arm F,is made to catch. rI his fastening-piece has its inner end made pointed, and catches under this cut in the end of the recess, so as to fasten the barrels and the connecting rod or arm together. The top rib of the barrel has a small piece, G, eut away and then pivoted in position, and the rear end of this pivoted piece G of the rib is made to catch over the front end of this fastening device E, and thus lock it securely down in the recess in which it is made to catch. As this pivoted locking-piece E is held at its frontend by means of the pivotcd part G of the rib, and at its rear end by means of the cut in the end of the recess, it will readily be seen that this part is held rigidly in place when IOO locked; but it is adapted to be quickly disengaged by simply turning the part G at right angles.

The pivoted arm or projection F is fastened to the endwise-sliding barrels at its front end by means of thelocking device, and to the operating-lever H at its rear end. This operating rod or lever is made grooved upon its top, so as to guide the eye in taking sight, and thus prevent the person using the gun from sighting from any other part than directly along the rib. Where there is nothing to guide the eye, a person who is taking aquick ailnis liable to sight diagonally across the barrels, and hence miss their mark. By making this arm F grooved, as is here shown, the sportsman always has an absolutely sure guide in taking aim. In order to lock the barrels and this connecting arm or rod together when the barrels are closed, and thus lock them rigidly in place, there are a number of projections, I, formed npon thetop of the rib of the barrels, as shown, and in the connecting` arm or rod are a corresponding number of perforations, in which these projections are made to catch when the 'rod or arm is forced down upon the top of the barrels. These projections will preferably be made to pass directly down through the web of the barrels, and through the plate, which is secured to their under sides, and their npper ends will preferably be set at nearly right angles to the barrels ofthe gun, so as to cause them to hold the barrels more rigidly in position when they are closed. This connecting rod or arm is attached at its rea-r end to the operating-lever, and when the operating-lever is raised the connecting rod or arm forces the barrels outward, and at the same time raises the connecting-rod upward, so as to allow ample room for the insertion and removal of the cartridges. lV hen the lever is depressed, as shown, this connecting rod or lever is depressed upon the barrels and the main frame, and made to operate the vertically-moving spring-actuated cartridge-extractora as will be more fully described hereinafter. This connecting rod or arm differs from those which have heretofore been used for moving the barrels endwise, in that it is placed directly upon the top of the barrels,where it is always in sight, and where it can be readily inspected and examined. One great advantage in placing this rod or arm upon the top consists in cheapening and simplifying the construction of the gun, and making it much easier to construct the arm or rod than it would be if the arm or rod were concealed and had to work through other parts. Through the rear end of this connecting rod or arm is made an opening, J, which, when the operating lever and rod are closed down, catches over a rearwardlyprojecting horn or projection, J,which catching in this opening J, helps to brace and hold the different parts rigidly together.

The operating-leverH is pivoted at its front end in a slot in the top of the main frame B,

and extends rearwardly along over the top of the grip of the stock. Through this main frame and in the grip of the stock is made a suitable groove, in which the lever sinks, so that when the lever is closed it does not extend above the grip, so as to be in the way of the hand in taking hold of the stock to use the gun. Upon the rear end of the lever is formed a small ring or handle, M, which is adapted to engage with a spring snap or catch, N. As the lever is forced downward the snap locks it in position, and the lever can only be raised upward by first disengaging the snap or catch, which is readily done with one of the fingers as the gun is taken hold of. Should the lever at any time be only partially raised. the very act ol'graspi ng the gun by the grip will cause the lever to sink down into this position, and thus place it in position for firing. `When it is desired to bring the safety-catch into nse,it is only necessary to disengage the rear end of the lever from the snap or catch, when the rear end will riseup a slight distance, andin rising upward it allows the connecting rod or arm to rise a slight distance upward with it, and as the rod or arm rises upward the vertically-moving sp ringactnated cartridge-extractors are allowed to rise upward, and thus act as safety-catches to prevent premature explosions. Connected to this lever near its front end is the connecting-rod O, which has attached at its lowerend suitable projections, which pass through the cookingplates F. These projections, which unite the cooking-plates and the rod or arm, move back and forth through curved grooves, which are made in the main frame. Thesecooking-plates are` both pivoted at theirlower front ends, preferably upon the same bolt or rod. Upon the up ,er front end ofeach plate is formed a lug, Q, which engages with the hammers for the purpos'e of full-cooking them. The inner sides of the hammers are shaped preferably as shown in Fig. 5, so that when the lug upon the cocking-plate first engages with the hammer it erts a direct backward pull upon it, and as the pull is continued the lug slides ofi' from the hammer and leaves it at full-cock. The hammer andthe cooking-plate being pivoted at different points, thelug upon the cocking-plate is constantly rising upward and backward over the edge of the hammer as the cooking-plate is being drawn backward by the action ofthe operating rod or arm.

The hammers R consist of a single straight piece of metal, and are pivoted at their lower ends upon removable plates S, which are held in place in the slots O in the main frame by means of screws T. The upper rear corners of these hammers are provided with set-screws U, by means of which thumb-pieces can be applied to the hammers when it is desired to use the hammers in the ordinary manner. Some persons desire to use what is called a hammerless77 gun` while others always prefer to have the hammers to operate in the usual manner. In order to adapt the gun to be used IOO IIO

as a iso-'called hammerless l gun, or a gun having hammers in sight, this hammer is adapted, byv means ot' the set-screw U, to have the thumb-pieces attached or not, as may be preferred. The hammer and all ot' its attachments are placed in a recess made in each side ot' the main frame B, and this main trame is provided with grooves in which the edges ot' the coveringplates 'V are made to catch. When the hammer is used without thethumbpieces, these plates will be inserted in the groove, andY they will then conceal the hammer and all ot' the parts connected therewith. W'hen, however, the thumb-pieces are to be used in connection with the hammer, these plates are to be renioved,and then the hammer and nearly all of its attachments will bein full view. By mea-ns of this construction thesame gun may be adapted i'or two different persons having diii'crent tastes in regard to hammers, and will enable a salesman to convert the gun into either kind of weapon,as the tastes of the purchaser may dictate, without havin g to keep adonbleassortment of guns upon hand. These removable plates allow the whole lock of the gun to be inspected at any moment, either-for the purpose of cleaning them, oiling them, or for any other purpose. Where the plates are not used and the parts are left exposed, the parts are so few and simple that no ordinary amount of exposure or hard usage is liable to in j ure them in the slightest.

rihe mainspring W' consists of a iiat piece ot' metal, which is irst doubled upon itself and then bent at right angles, and has its two ends to approach each other, as shown. These springs have one end to engage with the rear side ot' the hammer, while the other end engages with the plate to which the hammer pivoted. The vertical portion ot' the spring bears against the forwardly-inclined portion ofthe recess in which the hammer is placed, and has its ends to operate in diii'erent directions. By thus having its two ends to bearin opposite directions the spring exerts its pressure both in operating the hammer and in holding itselfi'n position, and at the saine tiizie i'ollows the arc oi' the hammer without the necessity 0l" any intermediate connecting-linli,in the usual manner, thereby simpliiying and cheapening the construction ot' the lock.

Connected to each hammer at any suitable distance above its pivotal point is the con nectingrod X, which rod X has its front end attached to the sliding lock or tumbler Y. This block or tumbler Y slides back and iorth through an opening which is made in the main tame, and passes through the recess which is made in the lower end ot' the cartridgeextractor Y. In the lower edge ot' each blocl; or tumbler are made the two notches l, which represent t'ull and halr'cock, in the usual manner, and upon theopposite edgeis formed the safety-notch 2. \Vhen the hammer is drawn backward, this block or tumbler is drawn baci; a corresponding distance by means of the connecting-rod, so as to leave the ha mmer at full-cock.

Upon the trigger-plate 3 are pivotcd, side by side, the two scars t and the two triggers 5. A single spring, 3, is secured upon the top of this trigger-plate, and this spring is divided into two p 1ongs` as shown. Each prong bears upon the top oi' the rear end ol" each scar. The pressure ot' this spring upon the rear end ot' the triggers always returns them to position. and the upward pressure against the rear end ol' the sears keeps them al ways forced upward, so as to engage with the notches ofthe sliding block or tumbler. Upon the rear end ot' each scar is formed an extension orshoulder, 7, and upon thc front upper corner ot' each triggeris formed a projection, 8, which catches over this rear end ot the scar, and thus causes the two parts to always move together. lhen the trigger is pulled, this extension formed upon its iront upper corner pulls down upon the rear end ot' the scar, and as soon as the trigger is released the pressure ol" the spring forces both. the trigger and the scar to return to position. When one ofthe triggers is pulled, the sear is forced downward, so as to become disengaged from the sliding block or tumbler. Also, secured upon the trigger-plate is a double-pronged spring, 9, which has its prongs catch against small shoulders formed upon the lower ends of the vertically-moving cartridge` extractors Z and keep them forced upward when the connecting rod or arm which mores the barrels leaves them free to move. These cartridgeextractors Z are provided with a tlange. l0, at their upper ends. for the purpose oi' catching over the flange oi` the cartridge; but this [lange does not connect with he cartridge until the lever has been depressed, so as to close the connecting rod or arm down upon them. ,Vhcnthe connecting arm or rod is raised upward, the pressure is removed from the upper ends of these cartridgecxtraetors, und they at once are forced upward by means of the spring 9, so that the gun may be opened withoutlaiecting the cartridge in any manner. The connecting rod or arm is made to hold these cartridgesextractors down in place by bearing upon the shoulders 1l, which are formed upon their innersides. After one ot' the barrels has been tired, the sliding block or tumbler Y, connected with the hammer ot' the barrel which has been tired, is forced forward through the recess in the side oi' the extractor until the shoulder A upon the bloclcrests inside ot' the recess in the side o" the extractor, and thusprevents the extractor from risi As long as the extractor is thus locked do n in position the iiange l() upon the t'ront upper i'ace ot' the extractor is locked down upon the cdgc of the cartridge, and when the gun is opened the extractor holds the cartridge stationary, while the barrels are pushed l'orward away trom it, and then the cartridge is ejected by the spring B', which is secured tothe breech-plug C. ilso, formed IIO in the inner side of each one of the sliding blocks or tui'nblers, just in advance of the shoulder A', is the recess 2, which serves as a safety-notch to prevent a premature eX- plosion. Nhen the lever is partially raised and the hammer at full or half cock, the sliding tumbler or block is drawn backward, so that the recess 2 comes just over the lower end of the recess formed in the side of the extractor, and as the extractor is forced upward by the spring 9 the lower end of this recess in the extractor catches in the recess 2, formed in the block, and thus prevents the hammer, in case the trigger is pulled, from dying forward far enough to strike the firing-pin. The sliding block or tumbler will slide back and forth over the cartridge extractor the full length of the recess 2, and this recess 2 will serve as a safety notch under all circumstances, because if the trigger is pulled the hammer can only move forward the length of the slot 2, and no farther. Vhcn, however, the operating-lever is fully depressed, the connecting rod or arm bears upon the top of the cartridge-extractor and forces it down below the level of the shoulder A upon the block, and then the block can slide forward the full length necessary to let the hammer strike the firing-pin when the trigger is pulled. The firing-pins are placedin the screw-cylinders E', which extend through thel main frame and through the opening F in the upper end of the cartridge-extractor, and screw into the breech-blocks, to which ejector-springs are secured. Projecting out from each of the breechblocks, attheir lower inner edge, is a supporting-pin, G', which prevents the cartridge from dropping downward.

In case it should be desirable or necessary to use an additional device for locking the barrels in place, the pivoted locking-lever B will be used. This is pivoted at its front end to the extension D, and has formed upon its rear end a notch or shoulder to engage with a corresponding notch or shoulderformed on the under side ofthe barrels. The rear end of this locking device extends backward far enough to have its rear end operated upon by means of the operating-lever, so that whenever the operating-lever is raised this locking device will have its rear end depressed sufficiently to loosen the barrels, when they will be left free to move. This locking device may or may not be used in connection with the gun,as may be desired.

Vhen it is desired to place the gun at halfcock when concealed hammers are used, the operating-lever H must be depressed into position, so as to draw the hammer back to fullcock, and then the rear end of the lever H is detached from the spring-snap N and raised slightly upward. This slight upward movement of the rear end of the lever allows the cartridge-extractors to rise upward into the safety-notches 2 of the sliding blocks Y, and

then when the triggers are pulled the hammers will move forward to half-cock.

The great object gained by placing the connecting rod or arm F upon the top ofthe rear end of the barrels consists in having it rest directly upon the top of the barrels, so as to relieve the strain on the main frame at the base of the barrels and makethe gun stronger, while it enables a lighter main frame to be used. The rear ends of the barrels are then held between the extension D and this arm or lever,which is locked rigidly in place. Bracing the barrels both above and below, as is here shown, makes it unnecessary to use asV heavy or strong material in making the gun, and hence the gun is both light and durable.

The cartridge-extractors serve as indicators, to show whether either one of the barrels has been fired by its raised or depressed position when the operating-lever is partially raised at its rear ent. lt' either one of the cartridgeextractors remains depressed, a person sees at a glance that the falling of the hammer has pushed the sliding block or tumbler Y forward, so that the shoulder A catchesv in the recess made in the side of the extractor, and thus prevents the extractor from rising upward.

Ha ving thus described my invention, 1 claiml. In a breech loading fire-arm, the combination of the operating-lever, which is pivoted in the top of the main frame and extends backward over the grip ofthe stock, the endwisemoving barrels, and the connecting rod or arm which connects the lever and the barrels together, and which rod or arm is placed above the, rear end of the barrels, substantially as shown.

2l In a breech-loading {ire-arm, the combination of the operating-lever, which is pivoted in the top of the main frame, and which eX- tends back over the grip of the stock, the endwise-moving barrels, the connecting rod or arm, which is placed above the rear end of the barrels, and which serves to connect the operating-lever and barrels together, the pivoted fastening device, and -a means for fastening the device to the barrels, substantially as described.

3. In a breech-loading fire-arm, the combination of the operating-lever pivoted upon the top of the main frame and extending back over the grip of the stock, the endwise-moving barrels, the connecting rod or arm which connects the lever and barrels together, and which is placed above the rear end of the barrels, a means of connection for the connecting-rod with the barrels, and a guide or way placed upon the forearm for the barrels to slide upon, substantially as set forth.

4. In a breech-loading lire-arm, the combination of the operating-lever, pivoted in the main frame and extending back over the grip of the stock, the spring-snap N, for locking IOO IIO

the lever down in place, the endWise-moving barrels, the connecting-rod placed above the rear end of the barrels and connecting the barrels together, a means of connection between the rod and the barrels, and a guide or Way placed upon the forearm for the barrels to slide upon, substantially as specified.

5. In a breeclrloading tire-arm, the combination of the operatinglever',`the endwiscmoving barrels, and the rib F," which is loosely connected to both the lever and barrels, the rib being grooved upon its top, so as to aid in directing the aim, substantially as shown.

6. In a breech-loading fire-arm, the combination of the endwise-moving b arrels provided with the projections I, with the perforated connecting rod or arm placed above the rear end of the barrels, and adapted to close down upon them, and the operating-lever I-I, substantially as described.

7. In a breech-loading fire-arm, the combi nation of the lever II, pivoted upon the top of the main frame, the rod O, provided with the projections for engagingwith the cookingplates, and pivoted to the lower edge of the lever H, the slotted main frame, the cookingplates, and the hammers, substantially as set forth.

8. In a breechlloading nre-arm, the combination of the main frame, having a recess formed in its side or sides to receive the hammer and spring, with a mainspring, which is formed from a single piece of metal, which is bent do'ubleand then bent at right angles, the

side of the recess aga-inst which the bent portion of the spring rests being inclined forward, so as to hold the spring in place, substantially as specified.

9. In afire-arm, the combination of a hammer, the plate S, to which the hammer is pivoted, the main frame provided with slots through which the plates are passed, set-screws for holding the plates in place, and a spring, which has one end to catch against the plate and the other against the hammer, substantially as specied.

l0. In a fire-arm, the combination of the operating-lever II, connecting rod or arm F, and the vertically --n1o ving spring-actuated cartridge extractors, which are depressed upon the cartridge by the rod or arm when the gun is closed, substantially as shown.

l1. In a firearm, the combination of a hammer, a connecting-rod attached thereto, a sliding block attached to thc front end ot' the connecting-rod and provided with a safety-notch, and notches in which the scar catches, and the X-ertically-moving spring-actuatcd cartridgeextractor, which engages with the safety-not0h to prevent premature explosions, substantially as shown.

l2. In a fire-arm, the combination of the trigger provided with a projection on its front end, t-he sear having an extension on its rear end, the spring 6, which engages with both the scar and trigger, and the notched sliding block, which is moved bythe hammer, and With which the Sear enga-ges, substantially as described.

13. In a firearm, a vertically-moving cartridge extractor, in combination with the spring 9, which presses the extractor upward when the extractor is left free to move, the sliding block, and trigger, whereby the extractor serves as an indicator to show Whether the barrel has been fired, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signaturein presence of two Witnesses.

WH. E. BUDD.

\ Witnesses:

F. A. LEHMANN, E. D. YoRK.` 

